Chapter 3

CHAPTER

THREE

Cedric

I watch her, the soft glow of the diner's neon sign casting a halo around her wavy blonde hair. It's like she's lit from within, and man, do I feel it—this pull towards her is magnetic, electric. Judy's green eyes dance with laughter as she rattles off stories about her art school shenanigans, and I'm hanging on every damn word.

"Tell me more about your paintings," I urge, leaning closer, my voice dropping an octave. I've always been direct, but with Judy, it feels like every question is another step closer to something vital.

She blushes, her voice a melody that's sweeter than the pie on the menu. "Well, I'm working on this piece right now that's inspired by the city skyline at sunrise. It's all oranges and purples..." She trails off, modesty taking hold, but I won't have it.

"Sounds beautiful, just like you," I say, not even trying to hide the edge of desire in my tone.

Under the table, my body reacts with a life of its own, hardening at the thought of her. Damn. I shift in my seat, clenching my fists out of sight. My knuckles go white with the effort it takes not to reach out and trace the curve of her cheek. Every fiber in me wants to pull her close, to claim her lips with mine, to show her how much she affects me.

"Big Ced," she teases, using the nickname the regulars have for me, "you look like you're ready to jump into the ring. Everything okay?"

"Never better," I manage to grunt out, though the tension coiling in my muscles tells a different story. The intensity of my desire is a live wire, sparking with every laugh, every innocent touch of her hand as she gestures in the air.

What the hell is it about her that makes me feel like this? Possessive, protective—like she's meant to be mine. I've never felt so damn drawn to anyone before, and it's both thrilling and terrifying.

But one thing's for sure—I want her, all of her, and the hunger is a beast clawing at my insides.

"Judy," I say, my voice thick with unspoken promises, "there's so much more I want to know about you." And as I say it, I mean every word. I want to know every little thing that will bring me closer to having her.

To making her mine .

I lean back in the booth, my gaze locked on Judy as she refills my coffee cup for the umpteenth time. Her smile is like a hit of something potent, and I'm buzzing with a high that's got nothing to do with caffeine. She's talking about her latest art project, animated and passionate, and it's all I can do not to vault over this table and pull her onto my lap.

"Sounds fascinating," I say, the words gravelly, almost a growl. She doesn't know it, but every detail she shares is another piece of her I'm staking claim to in my mind.

"Thanks, Cedric." Her eyes light up when she says my name, and it's like a punch to the gut—in a good way. "It's just hard to find time for it all, you know? The diner takes up so much of my day…"

"Hey, Judy," I interrupt before I lose the nerve to lay it all out there. I slide my hand across the table, palm up, an invitation. Hesitantly, she places her delicate hand in mine. "What if you didn't have to split your time anymore?"

Her brows furrow in confusion, green eyes searching mine for clarity. "What do you mean?"

"Quit the diner," I say bluntly, squeezing her hand gently to reassure her. "Come live with me. I'll take care of everything."

"Everything?" she echoes, her voice a whisper, disbelief painting her features.

"Everything." I affirm it with all the conviction of a man who knows exactly what he wants. "Your school, your art, your dreams—I want to support them. Be part of them."

She bites her lip, and damn if that isn't the sexiest thing. "Cedric, that's...You can't be serious."

"Never been more serious in my life," I tell her, leaning closer, the air between us charged with something fierce and undeniable. "You're meant for bigger things than pouring coffee and waiting tables. Let me help you get there."

Judy pulls her hand back slowly, her expression one of awe mixed with a hint of fear. "But why? Why would you do that for me?"

"Because I can't stand the thought of being without you," I confess, raw honesty pouring out. "I want you, Judy. All of you. And I'm prepared to fight for that, harder than any match I've ever been in."

There's a long pause where the world seems to hold its breath.

I'm staring at her feeling more desperate than I've ever felt in my entire fucking life, and she's looking at me with those big green eyes, wide and stunned and maybe a little frightened.

But hell, can I blame her? Here I am, this big son of bitch, storming in here, claiming all her time, not letting her out of my sight and demanding she come live with me.

What the fuck am I doing?

I'm unhinged, but as I keep tracing my eyes over her beautiful face, I know I'm beyond stopping this. I can't help it.

I need her.

I don't know what I'll do if she says no.